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I am a big fan of an actor called Timothy Spall.
It’s not just because he’s incredibly talented … nor is it because he starred in one of my favourite all-time programs, Auf Wiedersehen Pet … it’s because he is a genuine, down-to-earth, humorous bloke who loves his family and has none of the pretentious bullshit that so many ‘thespians’ seem to adopt.
Anyway, a while back, he was diagnosed with leukemia.
While he is now in the clear – which is amazing given that at one point, he was literally given hours to live – his wife recently published a book detailing this dark period in all it’s poignant, heartbreaking, hopeful and humorous glory.
Like the book by Natascha McElhone, you realise that despite all the sadness, helplessness and pain, their stories are underpinned by an unstoppable force of love – that thing adland and the media like to talk about, even though they rarely seem to appreciate what it really is.
Love is not all whispering sweet nothings, pink fluffy clouds and hearts with arrows through them, it’s about liberation and protection … where your actions, opinions and belief help significant others achieve more than they ever thought possible and be protected from more than they ever thought possible … and that’s why I’m a big believer in expressing how you feel when you feel it, because not only do you risk regret if you wait, but because speaking out can make a difference in more ways than you thought imaginable.
You can read an extract of Timothy Spall’s wife’s book here. I hope you do.
29 Comments so far
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spall = legend.
the end.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:14 amSeconded.
Comment by DH October 18, 2012 @ 6:34 amyoure fucking right for once campbell. love is also very fucking expensive, especially when a 3rd party, called a divorce attorney, gets involved and wants you to keep funding their clients money sucking, luxury lifestyle living bastard ways.
but im not fucking bitter.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:21 amEven more when it happens twice. Or did you negotiate a 2 for the price of 1 deal?
Comment by DH October 18, 2012 @ 6:36 amif i did i fucking fucked it up when i married #3, bought canadas premier money pit, had a daughter and got a shitting, pissing puppy.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:51 ameven closet cruise loves him. thats like being anointed by god. or gods small, scientology loving cousin.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:25 amso after the illness, they bought a boat and a road map because they thought that would help them negotiate the rivers and seas? thats why you like him campbell, he shares the same fucked up planning beliefs as you. and looks.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:34 amThat could be it. Except obviously my road map would be digital.
Comment by Rob October 18, 2012 @ 8:17 amUh oh. I feel a dose of sentimental Rob is heading our way.
Comment by DH October 18, 2012 @ 6:35 amYou have no idea just how true that is.
Comment by Rob October 18, 2012 @ 8:18 amMy girlfriend had a stroke 1 year 1/2 ago and I really know what you mean by that. Thanks Rob.
Comment by yannkretz October 18, 2012 @ 6:43 amfuck me you poor bastard. hope shes made a full recovery and is back to bossing you around like all good women seem to do so fucking well.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 6:50 amCareful Andy. You’re showing your sweet side.
Hope everything is better with your girlfriend, yannktrez. That is a terrible thing for you both to have gone through.
Comment by Pete October 18, 2012 @ 7:00 amit wont fucking happen again, i can tell you.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 7:53 amShe did. Thx Andy, you really sweet!
Comment by yannkretz October 18, 2012 @ 10:04 pmGod, that is absolutely terrible. I hope all is well now.
Comment by Rob October 18, 2012 @ 8:12 amShe is really better now. Thank you Rob.
Comment by yannkretz October 18, 2012 @ 10:05 pmThat is very good to hear.
Comment by Rob October 19, 2012 @ 12:08 pmNice post Rob.
I’m pretty sure adland does know what love is, it’s just they just prefer not to show it. Maybe they think emotion gets in the way of storytelling. ; )
Comment by Pete October 18, 2012 @ 6:59 amStop with the smileys. Even the fake ones.
Comment by DH October 18, 2012 @ 7:07 amTimothy Spall is very deserving of his legendary status. By the sound of it, so is his wife. His son is also heading in that direction. I do enjoy this blog, it’s eclectic, eccentric and emotional. Thank you Robert for keeping it that way.
Comment by George October 18, 2012 @ 8:04 amEclectic, eccentric and emotional eh? I’ll take that … it’s far better than what other people would want to call me.
Comment by Rob October 18, 2012 @ 8:19 amyou know your audience so fucking well campbell.
Comment by andy@cynic October 18, 2012 @ 8:41 amI had the great pleasure of meeting Tim Spall and his wonderful wife, Shane, last year. As much as your praise is very generous, it doesn’t do them justice. They are two of the most charming, welcoming and joyous people I’ve ever met.
I wasn’t expecting a post like this. I’m glad you surprised me.
Comment by Lee Hill October 18, 2012 @ 9:57 pmCan’t comment on today’s post and it’s not exactly uplifting so checking all is OK.
Comment by DH October 19, 2012 @ 6:40 amSame here.
Comment by Pete October 19, 2012 @ 7:14 amAll is OK. Thanks.
Comment by Rob October 19, 2012 @ 12:09 pmGood
Comment by northern October 19, 2012 @ 4:19 pmVery true. Very moving story. Not sure there is much else to add…
Comment by Rob Mortimer October 21, 2012 @ 12:47 am